Every two years since 1991 the holiday island of Langkawi in Malaysia
becomes the venue for the
Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition, This is
LIMA 2011

Langkawi
International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition

LIMA 2011

If there was
a prize for the ultimate venue in which to hold an International
Trade Fair, then LIMA ought
to be one of the top contenders. The Malaysian Government have
demonstrated that by locating their Trade Fair in such a
wonderful location as this, that the old cliché “you can’t mix
business with pleasure” must be wrong.

Since
its launch in 1991 the Langkawi International Maritime and
Aerospace Exhibition has been held on the holiday island of
Langkawi off the cost of mainland Malaysia. The exhibition was
set up to target the growing aerospace and maritime market from
the countries within the Asia Pacific. From its inception LIMA
has witnessed a steady growth in the number of participating
countries and companies attending the exhibition. The 2009 Trade
Fair attracted 400 leading defence companies and 38,000 trade
visitors from 60 countries. When it comes to staging
international trade fairs within the Asia Pacific region, the
LIMA exhibition coexists with Singapore and just as in Europe
with Farnborough and Paris they alternate their events each year
to avoid coinciding with each others. The LIMA show is held over
five days with the first three days being trade days, the last
two days being open to the public. As the growth in companies
attending LIMA increases so has the growth in the amount of
public attending the event during its open days which is putting
it well and truly on the international air show calendar.

The
major topic of conversation at this years show was the intense
competition to influence the Malaysian Government & Air Force as
they conduct a study into the possible purchase of a Multi Role
Combat Aircraft (MRCA) to replace their Mig 29N’s presently in
service but which were due to retire last year. Five contenders
have been identified to be the possible supplier of a
replacement. All five of those companies were here and vying for
the contract. They are Dassault, Boeing, Eurofighter, Saab and
Sukhoi. Of the five competing companies only four brought
aircraft to attend the show with only three being flown during
the five day show. Aircraft in attendance were Dassalt’s Rafale,
Boeing’s F18 Super Hornet, Eruofighter Typhoon and the SAAB JA39
Gripen. The example of the SAAB Gripen at LIMA was supplied by
the Royal Thai Air Force and was only displayed in the static
park. Sukhoi’s aircraft the Su-35 Flanker-E wasn’t in
attendance, however Sukhoi did have a team of representatives on
site at their trade stand.

Prior
to LIMA 2011 the RMAF had the benefit of witnessing the
capabilities of three of the types, when they deployed and
operated from the Royal Malaysian
Air Force base at Butterworth.
First to arrive in May of this year was the F18 Super Hornet,
operated by 1Sqn of the Royal Australian Air Force this was
followed in October by the Typhoon, operated by 6Sqn the Royal
Air Force. Both aircraft took part in a bi annual 5-power
exercise (Bersama Lima)
staged within the area. Then more recently came the turn of the
Rafale when in early December the French Air Force arrived at
Butterworth.

If
there isn’t an outright winner after the show the final decision
on a replacement could be some time off even after manufacturers
have been selected. The next process would entail the competing
companies submit sealed bids to the Malaysian Defence minister
for them evaluate and choose the best all round package. This in
view of the current financial climate is likely to be a hard
fought contest. As manufacturers will be looking at securing
orders which in turn will secure jobs and financially benefits
for its country of origin.

In excess
of 250 companies from 30 Countries were listed to exhibit at the
2011 showcase some of the companies included were………

Embraer

Dassault

Eurocopter

Thales

Siemens

Sukhoi

Sukhoi

AgustaWestland

Eurofighter

Pilatus

Rolls
Royce

Gulfstream

SAAB

Sikorsky

Piaggio

Malaysia
Airlines

BAE
Systems

Rockwell

Boeing

AgustaWestland

There were
54 aircraft on display of which 21 took part in the flying
display each